Caravan of Toys to make special deliveries

KITTERY, Maine — The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard "family" has gathered once again to support its Caravan of Toys, which will leave Gate 1 this morning to deliver toys across a three-state region.

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By Deborah mcDermott

seacoastonline.com

By Deborah mcDermott

Posted Dec. 1, 2012 at 2:00 AM
Updated Dec 1, 2012 at 1:46 PM

By Deborah mcDermott

Posted Dec. 1, 2012 at 2:00 AM
Updated Dec 1, 2012 at 1:46 PM

» Social News

KITTERY, Maine — The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard "family" has gathered once again to support its Caravan of Toys, which will leave Gate 1 this morning to deliver toys across a three-state region.

With Santa leading the way, the 62nd annual caravan will bring more than 3,000 toys valued at around $15,000 to social service agencies across Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

"It's all about the kids," said Lynda Hamilton, budget officer for the shipyard and treasurer of the Caravan of Toys. "So many don't have anything, and we want to give back."

Hamilton said most of the agencies have been receiving toys from the shipyard for years, but this year, three new agencies asked if they could be included. "The need is so great," Hamilton said. "Fortunately, we've been able to accommodate them."

A special delivery of four boxes of toys, hats and mittens will be heading to Highland, N.J., which was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Hamilton's nephew, a police officer there, lost everything, as did most of the residents.

"We contacted the police and fire departments and said, 'Can you use some toys?' And they said, 'Absolutely.' There are so many kids who have lost everything," she said.

The Caravan of Toys is sponsored by the Naval Civilian Managers Association.

Funds were donated by shipyard employees, military personnel and organizations including the Federal Employees Metal Trade Council, the American Federation of Government Employees, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Naval Civilian Managers Association, the Federal Managers Association and the National Association of Superintendents.

Hamilton said the annual effort begins as soon as the previous year's toys are delivered and takes hundreds of workers over the course of the year "who, on their own time, staffed collection barrels at the gates, purchased toys and then delivered these toys to the various agencies."

Each year, two major fund-raisers are held, a Christmas in July event and a new-toy collection in November.

"As in years past, the shipyard community was incredibly generous with its support of this worthy cause," Public Affairs Officer Gary Hildreth said.

Toys will be delivered to 31 agencies in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, which, in turn, will distribute them to children in need within their communities.

Santa will be on hand as the Caravan of Toys leaves from Gate 1 of the Shipyard at 9 a.m.